The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) hopes to increase its number of international arrivals by 10 per cent to 121 million, revealed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Opening Gala of the ASEAN Tourism Forum on 18 January 2017.

Speaking at the first event of ASEAN’s 50th anniversary, Mr Lee noted that there is a huge potential in the tourism industry where countries can work together and create win-win benefits for the people and economies.

As such, Mr Lee suggested three ways to promote the region as a single, unified travel destination through strengthening air links, building up cruise tourism and developing talent.

Given that ASEAN member countries have ratified an Open Skies Agreement, Mr Lee said there is potential for tourist numbers and air passengers to grow further. ASEAN therefore, has to strengthen its air links and air travel has to remain affordable and convenient to drive tourism growth.

Mr Lee also pointed out that cruise tourism has immense potential for development. However, the Prime Minister noted that developing cruise tourism is a multi-lateral effort. “We need to develop port infrastructure to receive bigger and newer ships and work with cruise providers to create attractive itineraries with multiple stops for tourists.”

Singapore will also take on the role as lead coordinator for the ASEAN Cruise Development Initiative and study for opportunities under the ‘Cruise Southeast Asia’ brand.

Thirdly, talent must also be developed across the region, PM Lee said, “Our workers also need specific skills, to run hotels properly, manage inventories and logistics, supply guides and interpreters, so that we can deliver the high standards international tourists are accustomed to,” said Mr Lee. “It is win-win, because investing in our workers also create opportunities and good jobs for our people.”

Mr Lee added that Singapore has initiatives such as the Singapore-Myanmar Vocational Training Institute, which trains young people for jobs in the tourism industry. Mr Lee announced that the ASEAN Tourism Research Association (ATRA) will be offering two post-graduate scholarship schemes, and that four universities in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia have pledged to offer scholarships to support the scheme.

In his speech, Mr Lee also called on ASEAN members to cooperate in “these uncertain times”. Referring to the political developments in 2016, Mr Lee highlighted that the mood in many countries is to go solo and “unilaterally push for their own interests, and doubt the value of mutual give and take in a rules-based international order.”

“In this uncertain global environment, ASEAN is an important life raft for all of us,” said Mr Lee. “ASEAN members have worked steadily and hard over the decades, to build up our cooperation and benefit one another… We have made regional cooperation a success in Southeast Asia.”

“Through greater openness and mutual interdependence, we generate more opportunities and prosperity all round,” Mr Lee concluded.

Photo credit: PM Lee Hsien Loong’s Facebook